Do Smoking Cessation Aids Actually Work?

This video from Seeker shares a little bit about the science behind quitting smoking cigarettes. Host Trace Dominguez explains that the reason people get addicted to smoking in the first place is nicotine.

MORE: Ten reasons to quit smoking

Nicotine is a natural compound found in tobacco, and is as addictive as heroin or cocaine. When a person smokes, the nicotine travels to the brain and releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine.

Quitting smoking or even cutting down on smoking will initially put your body into nicotine withdrawal. Dominguez discusses whether smoking cessation aids (gums, patches, sprays) actually work or if smokers have a better chance of quitting by going cold turkey.

Recent studies have found that plain packaging on tobacco products would reduce the number of smokers and lead to lower numbers of COPD patients. Currently, Australia is the only country in the world to have tobacco products in plain packaging, but the EU is bringing in new packaging laws which come into effect on May 21. Read more about this study here. 

MORE: Ten COPD facts and myths

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